South Miami Hospital NICU Babies in Costumes Help Parents Have a Happy Halloween

(VIDEO: Some of the tiniest patients at South Miami Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) were dressed in costumes to celebrate life and help parents have a Happy Halloween.)

When a newborn baby is admitted into a hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), it can mean days, weeks and even months of hospitalization. The time can overlap holidays and special occasions.

That’s why the nursing staff at South Miami Hospital Center for Women & Infants tries to help NICU babies and their parents celebrate their little ones’ milestones with special activities, like an annual Halloween Costume Contest, in addition to caring clinically for the fragile patients.

The event gives new moms, like Desiree Hrachian, a change of pace and something cheerful to look forward to during the long days and nights a NICU hospitalization can mean.

The new mother to twin daughters, Amelia and Emma, who were born nearly three months early, Mrs. Hrachian and husband Hakop enjoyed dressing the girls in superhero costumes designed for stuffed teddy bears. Weighing just under five pounds each, the baby girls fit perfectly into the adorable Batgirl and Superwoman dresses.

“We decided on superhero costumes because they’ve been fighting since day one,” Ms. Hrachian said. “I think it’s a great thing to do for the parents and the babies.”

Other costumes that brought smiles to parents’ and hospital staff, alike, included a mermaid and pirate, among others. Pamely and Joaquin Urena Guzman, parents of twin boys Matthew and Etham, dressed their sons as twin sailors, even adorning their bassinet to look like a ship.

“When we do this each year, it gives a sense of normalcy to the parents and their babies,” said Alyssa Benjamin, R.N., a nurse in the NICU at South Miami Hospital.

The Baptist Health News Team captured some of the adorable costumes during the contest judging. Watch the video to see them.

Tags: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, South Miami Hospital Center for Women & Infants, South Miami Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit